Mart blow lifts Agger

The Liverpool central defender was carried off in Sunday’s 3-2 win at Manchester City.

Scans confirmed he damaged the cruciate ligament in his right knee.

He is due to see a specialist today when Kop boss Rafa Benitez will be hoping the combative 23-year-old will get the go-ahead for a quicker return to action than anticipated.

Skrtel’s setback will open the door for Daniel Agger’s return to the team. Agger said: “Of course I had hoped to get some playing time, but this is not exactly the way I wished to get it.”

The Denmark international, who is set to be offered a new contract by Benitez, added: “I know Martin very well because I share a room with him when we travel.”

Benitez’s decision to omit Sami Hyypia from his 25-man Champions League squad due to the need to accommodate eight associated players also means that he can ill-afford another setback in the centre of defence.